Construction layout and angle measurement tool

ABSTRACT

A construction layout and angle measurement tool includes opposite working sides having unique indicia for establishing angles from side edges or corners of building materials. When used with a reference line, and when attached to the workpiece, the tool allows site layout and evaluation by only one person. The tool may be mounted on vertical, horizontal, and inclined workpieces. Angles are determined and evaluated directly with the tool while avoiding mathematical computation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/573,967 filed May 24, 2004, the subject matter of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to tools, and more specifically tolayout and evaluation tools used for construction projects.

A variety of tools exist which are used to layout construction sites andevaluate existing structures or construction projects in progress.Carpenters, for example, are often charged with layouts and constructionof various projects. For example, wall framing and finishing, rooflineconstruction and finishing, banister and railing construction, patio anddeck construction, and framing for sidewalks, pathways, and the likeoften require great attention to design details which carpenters, amongothers, must incorporate into the final construction. One problem whichcarpenters must face is accurate and efficient location of angles anddistances in laying out construction sites, and in cutting constructionmaterials to complete projects.

A variety of tools exist which carpenters presently use to measureangles for layout of construction sites and fabrication of structures.For example, roofing or framing squares and various protractor tools areavailable which allow carpenters and construction tools to measureangles for site layout and to mark construction pieces for cuttingduring fabrication of a structure. Such known angle measuring tools are,however, disadvantaged in several aspects.

For example, except for very small layouts and small constructioncomponents, it typically takes two workers to layout sites, measurelarger pieces for fabrication, and evaluate existing constructions orconstructions in progress. One worker is typically needed to hold themeasuring tool at a predetermined location, while another worker isneeded to extend a string line to a location some distance away from thetool. In a cooperative manner, the worker with the measuring tooldirects the worker with the string line to adjust the position of thestring until the desired angle is obtained, and then to set a marker onthe site (e.g., a stake or a flag) or to mark a construction workpiecefor cutting. For various reasons, however, it is not always easy todedicate two workers to such tasks, and it would be desirable if suchtasks could be efficiently performed by only one person, potentiallysaving time and expense for construction projects.

Additionally, existing tools are generally designed for use in oneparticular orientation by the user (e.g., measurement from a horizontaledge). If a user attempts to use the tool in another orientation (e.g.,measurement from a vertical position), the user must adapt and use thetool differently, sometimes requiring mathematical computation oradjustment to the reading of the tool to measure or mark certain angles.It would be desirable to provide a tool which may be more or lessuniversally used in the same manner in a variety of positions andorientations by the user, thereby simplifying use of the tools andprevent mistakes due to mathematical errors.

Still further, when evaluating existing structures for improvement,repair, or finishing work, known layout and measuring tools are not thathelpful in determining angles. For example, on-site determination of thepitch of a roof, an unknown angle between two elements, or thecenterline of a circle or arc is generally determined by measurement ofdistances and mathematical formulas, and not by direct measurement withtools. It would be desirable to provide a tool that is more capable ofdirectly evaluating existing structures without mathematicalcomputation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment, an angle measurement and layouttool is provided. The tool comprises a support portion configured toseat against an edge of a construction workpiece, and a guide portionextending from the support portion. The guide portion has opposite faceswith each face having measurement indicia thereon, and the measurementindicia is differently arranged on each of the opposite faces.

Optionally, the support portion may comprise a corner bracket, and thesupport portion may be configured to be attached to an edge of theconstruction workpiece. The support portion may include a first slot anda second slot spaced from the first slot, the first and second slotspositioned relative to a respective one of the opposite faces of theguide portion to accurately measure angles when a reference line isextended from each of the first and second slots to the correspondingface of the guide portion. At least one extension arm attachable to thecorner bracket may be provided, with a portion of the extension armextending parallel to the ledge.

According to another exemplary embodiment a construction layout tool isprovided. The tool comprises a support portion configured to seatagainst an edge of a construction workpiece, and the support portioncomprises a flat ledge and a corner bracket. A guide portion extendsfrom the support portion, and the guide portion has layout measurementindicia thereon.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a construction layout andangle measurement tool is provided. The tool comprises a support portioncomprising a flat ledge and a corner bracket extending from the ledge.Each of the ledge and corner bracket define a slot for a reference line,and the slots of each of the ledge and the corner bracket are differentfrom one another. A guide portion extends from the support portion, andthe guide portion has opposite faces each having layout measurementindicia thereon. The measurement indicia of one of the faces correspondsto the slot of the ledge, and the measurement indicia of the other ofthe faces corresponds to the slot of the corner bracket, wherein when areference line is extended through one of the slots and across thecorresponding face of the guide portion, the orientation of the linewith respect to the guide portion may accurately establish a desiredlayout or determine an unknown layout.

In yet another embodiment, an angle measurement and layout tool isprovided. The tool comprises a support portion configured to receive acorner of a workpiece, and a guide portion extending from the supportportion and marked with measurement indicia corresponding to the cornerof the workpiece. The measurement indicia include at least one of anangular degree indicia and slope indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary layout and anglemeasurement tool.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first face of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second face of the tool shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the tool shown in FIGS. 1–4.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the tool shown in FIGS. 1–4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the face shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the face shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a partial top plan view of a further embodiment of a layoutand angle measurement tool.

FIG. 10 illustrates a first exemplary application of a tool according tothe present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second exemplary application of a tool accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a third exemplary application of a tool according tothe present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a fourth exemplary application of a tool accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrates a sixth exemplary application of a toolaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 16 illustrates a seventh exemplary application of a tool accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a seventh exemplary application of a tool accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates an eighth exemplary application of a tool accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 19 illustrates a ninth exemplary application of a tool according tothe present invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of a tool according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary layout and anglemeasurement tool 100 which may be used by carpenters, builders andconstruction workers, among others, to efficiently lay out constructionsites, to evaluate existing structures and construction in progress, aswell as permit efficient fabrication of construction projects byfacilitating marking and cutting lines for construction workpieces,including but not limited to common building materials such as plywood,lumber, drywall, plastic and metallic materials widely used inconstruction projects of all kinds. As explained below, the tool 100 isa multi-task angle measuring device which may be used by only one personto find and establish desired angles when used with a common string,chalk line, or plumbob (not shown in FIG. 1).

For the reasons explained below, and unlike known tools, the tool 100may be capably used by one person to, among other things, quicklyapproximate construction site layouts without the need or assistance ofanother person; snap lines with a chalk line at angles and pitches oncommon building materials along straight edges or from a 90° corner ofthe materials without the aggravation of the chalk-line clip sliding orfalling off the mark; find unknown angles from one point to another overshort or long areas depending on length of string used with the tool;establish known angles; find an unknown actual degree of incline whenusing a plumbob with the toil; find an unknown roof pitch quickly andeasily; find a centerline of a circle or a construction arc; provide ananchor, even along a vertical edge), for a chalk line clip or a plumbob;function as a level along a horizontal plane when used with a plumbob;and allow hands free use of the tool. The versatile tool 100 simplifiesconstruction layout, fabrication and evaluation tasks by directlyfinding and establishing desired angles and key points for constructionpurposes without requiring time consuming mathematical computation andcreative use and adaptation of existing tools to determine angles,slopes and key construction parameters, thereby avoiding potentialmistakes associated with mathematical computation and known tools. Thetool may be rather universally used in a variety of positions (e.g.,vertical, horizontal, and inclined positions) to accomplish a widevariety of tasks.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tool 100 includes a generally flat andplanar guide portion 102 extending from a support portion 104. The guideportion 102 is generally annular in an exemplary embodiment and includesan inner edge 105 and an outer edge 106 which is spaced from the inneredge 105. The inner and outer edges 105, 106 of the guide portion 102each extend as a substantially 180° arc having a constant radius R1 andR2, respectively forming semicircular edges of the guide portion 102.The inner edge 105 defines a semicircular opening 107 extending betweenthe guide portion 102 and the support portion 104 of the tool 100. Whilethe guide portion 102 is illustrated as having a rounded or arcuateshape, it is understood that the guide portion may be otherwise shapedin an alternative embodiment. Other geometric shapes and configurationsmay be employed in other embodiments while still achieving the benefitsof the invention and without departing from the scope of the invention.The particular embodiments described herein are therefore provided forillustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the tool 100 toany particular shape.

As explained in detail below, the guide portion 102 includes oppositefaces 108 and 110 extending between the inner and outer edges 105 and106. The faces 108 and 110 include markings or indicia (not shown inFIG. 1) which indicate angles, slopes, and other items of interestrelative to a designated point of the support portion 104 explainedbelow. Thus, when a reference line (not shown in FIG. 1), such as stringor chalk line is coupled to the support portion 104 in the mannerexplained below, one of the faces 108 and 110 will indicate the angle ofthe reference line with respect to the tool 100 for quickly finding andestablishing layouts for site layout or fabrication of constructionprojects.

As will become evident below, the tool 100 has two opposite workingsides or faces. Each side is unique in application and script layout formeasuring or determining angles, and each has its own individual pivotpoint or string slot to be used for that intended side or face. One sideof the tool is for use on straight edges or baselines and the other sideof the tool is for use on 90° corners.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the support portion 104 includes substantiallyflat and parallel ledges 120 at either end thereof which extendsubstantially perpendicular to the plane of the guide portion 102 (shownin FIG. 1) in an exemplary embodiment. A corner bracket 122 extendsbetween the ledges 120 of the support portion 104, and the cornerbracket includes corner legs 124 and 126 which extend substantiallyperpendicular to one another and extend substantially at a 45° anglefrom the plane of the ledges 120 in an illustrative embodiment. That is,the corner bracket 122 extends downward from the ledges 120 in aV-shaped configuration. The legs 124 and 126 of the corner bracket 122are flat and smooth and define an opening or pocket 128 therebetweenwhich may receive a corner of a sheet of building material as furtherexplained below. An intersection 130 of the corner legs 124 and 126includes a slot 132 which may receive an end of the reference line(e.g., string or chalk line) used with the tool 100.

A cross member 134 extends between the ledges 120 above the cornerbracket 122, and in an exemplary embodiment, the cross member 134 is abeam having opposite faces 136 and 138 which extend parallel to therespective faces 108 and 110 of the guide portion 102 (shown in FIG. 1).Sight members 139 project upwardly from a top surface 140 of the crossmember 134 and are triangular in shape in one embodiment. The sightmembers 139 include inwardly sloping sides which define a referencepoint 142 therebetween. The reference point 142 is centered relative tothe guide portion 102 such that indicia on the faces 108 and 110 of theguide surfaces are referenced to the point 142 for accuratelyestablishing and determining angles with the tool 100.

A slot 144 is formed in a lower edge 146 of the cross member 134, andthe slot is substantially aligned with the reference point 142 such thatwhen a reference line is received in the slot 144, the reference linesubstantially coincides with the reference point 142 for measuring anangle of the reference line with respect to the tool 100 using the guideportion 102. Additionally, the slot 132 in the corner bracket 122 isaligned with the reference point 142 on a radial centerline of the guideportion 102 and is located approximately a radial distance R1 (shown inFIG. 1) from the reference point 142. Thus, when the reference line isreceived in the slot 132, angles may be accurately measured,established, or determined using the guide portion 102. As will beexplained below, one of the faces 108 and 110 is marked with indiciawhich is arranged to indicate to indicate an angle from the referenceline in the slot 144, and other of the faces 108 and 110 is marked withindicia arranged to indicate to indicate an angle from the referenceline in the slot 132.

The top surface 140 of the cross member 134 is substantially flush witha top surface 148 of the support ledges 120. That is, the top surface140 of the cross member 134 is in the plane of the support ledges 120.The ledges 120 may therefore be seated against an edge of a workpiece(not shown) such as lumber, drywall, or plywood, to align the tool 100with respect the workpiece, and the reference point 142 will likewise belocated along the edge of the workpiece, while the sight members 129extend over the surface of the workpiece and assist in aligning thereference point 142 with a location mark or tick mark on the workpiece,which shall be demonstrated in the exemplary applications of the tool100 which are described below.

In one embodiment, each of the guide portion 102 and the support portion104 are fabricated from metal (e.g., low gage steel)., although it isappreciated that other suitable materials, whether metallic ornon-metallic (e.g., a high strength plastic) may be used to fabricatedthe tool 100. The guide portion 102 and the support portion may beintegrally formed in a unitary construction via, for example a knownmolding process using known materials. Alternatively, the supportportion 104 may be separately fabricated from the guide portion 102, andthe guide portion 102 may be fastened to the support portion 104 using,for example, spot welding or another known technique.

FIG. 3 illustrates in plan view the tool 100 with guide portion 102extending upward from the support portion 104 and the face 108 of theguide portion 102 exposed for use. The face 108 includes markings andindicia which is described further below. When the tool 100 ispositioned along a workpiece such that an edge of the workpiece abutsthe support ledges 120 of the support portion 104 behind the guideportion 102, and further when a reference line is received in the slot144 in the cross member 134, the angle of the reference line withrespect to the tool 100 is indicated by the markings on the face 108 ofthe guide portion 102.

As also illustrated in FIG. 3, the tool 100 includes embossments 180which are formed in the underside of the support ledges 120 of thesupport portion 104. The embossments 180 each include a threaded bore182 extending through the respective ledge 120, and the bores 182receive adjustable fastener assemblies 184 which may be used to anchorthe tool 100 to a workpiece. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastenerassemblies include a thumbscrew or threaded pin 186 having a point 188on one end and a head 190 opposite the point 188. A spring element 192extends around the pin 186 to provide a biasing counterforce toattachment of the pins 186 to the workpiece. The pins 186 are extendedthrough the spring elements 192 and the pins 186 are coupled to thebores 182 with threaded engagement. When the pins 186 are rotated byturning the respective heads 196, the pins 186 may be advanced throughthe bores 182 toward the workpiece or pulled away from the workpiece.

As the points 188 of the pins 186 are advanced, depending on thehardness of the workpiece and the force or torque which turns the pins,the points 188 may pierce the edge of the workpiece and fasten the tool100 to the workpiece. The spring elements 192 provide an outwardlydirected bias force in the direction of arrow F in FIG. 3 so that, inthe event that the pins 186 are only loosely attached to the workpiece,the spring elements 192 will detach the pins 186 from the workpiece. Inessence, the spring elements 192 force the user to tighten the pins tothe workpiece to a predetermined degree or to a minimum level of forcebased on the characteristics (e.g., the spring constant) of the springelements 192, thereby fully and soundly seating the tool 100 andensuring a sufficient anchoring force is present when the tool 100 isattached to a workpiece. Fastening of the tool to the workpiece may beof particular advantage when using the tool along a vertical or inclinededge of the workpiece.

While spring loaded pins are believed to be advantageously used as thefastener assemblies 184, it is recognized that other fasteners andmechanism could likewise be employed to fasten the tool 100 to aworkpiece. In particular, clamping mechanisms may be advisable to securethe tool 100 to a metal workpiece, while the pins may be adequate fornon-metallic materials.

FIG. 4 illustrates in plan view the tool 100 with guide portion 102extending upward from the support portion 104 and the face 110 of theguide portion 102 exposed for use. That is, FIG. 4 illustrates theopposite side of the tool 100 from FIG. 3. The face 110 includesmarkings and indicia which is described further below, and notably, theindicia on the face 110 is different in arrangement and in position fromthe indicia on the face 108 (shown in FIG. 3). When a corner of aworkpiece (not shown in FIG. 4) is received in the corner bracket 122,and further when a reference line (not shown in FIG. 4) is received inthe slot 132 in the corner bracket 122, the angle of the reference linewith respect to the tool 100 is indicated by the markings on the face110 of the guide portion 102. Thus, the face 110 employs a differentattachment location (i.e., the slot 132) for the reference line than theface 108 (shown in FIG. 3) which employs the slot 144 in the crossmember 134. The support portion should fully and soundly seat againstthe edge of a workpiece when laying out or determining angles to ensurean accurate reading of the tool 100.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of thetool 100. It is seen from FIG. 5 that the sight members 139 are alignedwith the slot 132 of the corner bracket 122 and the bores 182 in thesupport ledges 120 containing the threaded pins 186 (shown in FIG. 3).Seating tabs 200 project outward from either end of the support portion104, and the tabs 200 provide proper seating of the tool 100 when usedalong a vertical edge of a workpiece (not shown in FIG. 5).Additionally, the tabs 200 may align and position the tool 100 when heldto the bottom of an incline such as a soffit, or to acquire a degree ofincline such as a roof pitch, in the manner explained below. In FIG. 6,the heads 190 of the pins 186 (shown in FIG. 3) are seen protruding fromthe embossments 180 of the support ledges 120.

In a further embodiment, additional holes (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6)may be formed in the support portion 104, and a user may “hard mount”the tool to a straight edge with screws or another known fastener for astronger and sturdier connection of the tool to a workpiece.

FIG. 7 illustrates the face 108 of the guide portion 102 in more detail,and particularly wherein exemplary indicia and marking of the face 108is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the face 108 includes angulardegree indicia extending along the inner 105 of the guide portion 102,and slope indicia (expressed in, for example, inch rise per foot ordegree of incline) along the outer edge 106. Further, for the user'sconvenience, and in acknowledgment of the tool being used in severaldifferent orientations or positions, several different varieties of eachof the angular indicia and the slope indicia are provided. For example,and as illustrated in FIG. 7, a innermost scale of angular indicia isprovided which indicates in incrementing marks or bar lines, an angle of0° to 180° extending from a left hand edge 210 in FIG. 7 to a right handedge 212 of the guide portion 102. An intermediate scale of angularindicia is provided adjacent the innermost scale and the intermediatescale indicates an angle of 0° to 180° extending from the right handedge 212 to the left hand edge 210. A third or outermost scale ofangular indicia, which also serves to indicate degree of incline, isprovided which indicates an angle of 0° to 90° measured from acenterline 214 of the guide portion 102 to either of the left or righthand edges 210 and 212. Thus, angles may conveniently be measured,determined or established from left, right, and center positions whenthe tool is located on a workpiece.

The slope indicia begins at each of the left and right edges 210 and 212and increments upward to 12 inches per foot (i.e., a 45° angle), anddecreases back to a zero position coincident with the centerline 214 ofthe guide portion 102. Thus, three zero slope positions located 90° fromone another are provided on the face 108 of the guide portion 102, andthe tool may therefore be used in vertical and horizontal positionswhile providing a horizontal zero point from which to measure. Startingfrom the desired horizontal zero position, a reference line may bealigned with the nearest desired slope or pitch indicia from theapplicable boundary line 220 to measure or evaluate angles from verticalor horizontal positions without mathematical manipulation of the readingof the tool which would otherwise be necessary if a user attempts tomeasure from a non-zero point on the slope indicia scale. Thus, becauseof the multiple zero slope positions and the increasing and decreasingscale of the slope indicia, the tool may be easily used on all sides(e.g., the left, right, top and bottom edges of a workpiece such as asheet of drywall or plywood) while allowing direct reading of slopes andangles without mathematical manipulation of the reading of the tool. Theinch rise per foot/degree of incline conversion provided by the face 108is user friendly for quick angle settings on circular and miter saws.

While exemplary indicia for the face 108 of the guide portion 102 hasbeen described, it is understood that other indicia may desirable inalternative embodiments. By way of example, different gradations orincrements of marking may be included to provide more or less detail inmeasuring capability of the tool. Likewise, metric units for slope mayindicated, and while it is believed that slopes of greater than 12inches per foot are unlikely to be encountered for most projects,greater ranges of slopes may be indicated. Further, additional indiciamay be added which does not pertain to angular degrees or slopes orpitches of inclines but is nonetheless useful information to users.

FIG. 8 illustrates the face 110 of the guide portion 102 in more detail,and particularly wherein exemplary indicia and marking of the face 110is shown. In the exemplary embodiment, the face 110 includes angulardegree indicia spanning only a portion of the guide portion 102 of thetool between the end edges 210 and 210 of the guide portion 102. Rather,boundary lines 220 of the indicia extend between the inner edge 105 andthe outer edge 106 in a tangential relation to the corner legs 124 and126 of the corner bracket 122. Thus, when the corner legs 124 and 126are fitted to a corner of a workpiece, the boundary lines 220 match theside edges of the corner.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, angular degree indicia extends along the inneredge 105 of the guide portion 102, and slope indicia (expressed in, forexample) inch rise per foot extends along the outer edge 106. Further,for the user's convenience, and in acknowledgment of the tool being usedin several different orientations or positions, several differentvarieties of each of the angular indicia and the slope indicia areprovided. For example, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, an innermost scaleof angular indicia is provided which indicates in incrementing marks orbar lines, an angle of 0° to 90° extending from the left hand boundaryline 220 in FIG. 7 to the right hand boundary line 220 of the guideportion 102. An outer scale of angular indicia is provided adjacent theinnermost scale and the intermediate scale indicates an angle of 0° to90° extending from the right hand boundary line 220 to the left handboundary line 220. Thus, angles may conveniently be measured, determinedor established from left or right positions when the tool is located ona workpiece.

The slope indicia begins at each of the boundary lines 220, incrementsupward to a maximum point corresponding to 12 inches rise per foot(i.e., a 45° angle) coincident with the centerline 214 (FIG. 7) of theguide portion 102, and decreases back to a zero position for a totalspan of 90° on the guide portion 102. Thus, slopes or pitches ofinclines may conveniently be measured, determined or established fromleft or right positions when the tool is located on a workpiece. Assuch, measuring, determining or simplifying he pitches of inclines issimplified by allowing the tool to be used on all sides of aconstruction workpiece, such as a sheet of drywall or plywood, whiledirectly finding desired slopes. In particular, because of the 90° spanand configuration of the slope indicia, one of the zero slope positions(i.e., the location of the boundary lines 220) is always positionedhorizontally and the other of the zero slope positions is alwayspositioned vertically regardless of where the tool is positioned on theworkpiece (i.e., whether the tool is used on the upper left, upperright, lower left or lower right corner of the workpiece). Because ofthe horizontal and vertical zero slope positions, and the increasing anddecreasing scale of slope indicia allowing measurement from either ofthe zero slope positions at the boundary lines 220, slopes may bedirectly determined directly from either of the zero slope positions.Starting from the desired horizontal or vertical zero position, areference line may be aligned with the nearest desired slope or pitchindicia from the applicable boundary line 220 to measure or evaluateangles from vertical or horizontal positions without mathematicalmanipulation of the reading of the tool which would otherwise benecessary if only one zero slope position was provided and a userattempted to measure from a non-zero point on the slope indicia scale.Associated confusion and error due to measurement from a non-zero pointis avoided with the tool 100 which provides vertical and horizontal zeropoints in use.

While exemplary indicia for the face 110 of the guide portion 102 hasbeen described, it is understood that other indicia may desirable inalternative embodiments. By way of example, different gradations orincrements of marking may be included to provide more or less detail inmeasuring capability of the tool. Likewise, metric units for slope mayindicated, and while it is believed that slopes of greater than 12inches rise per foot are unlikely to be encountered for most projects,greater ranges of slopes may be indicated. Further, additional indiciamay be added which does not pertain to angular degrees or slopes orpitches of inclines but is nonetheless useful information to users.

The indicia shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be applied to the respectivefaces 108 and 110 in a known manner, including but not limited toprinting techniques. Alternatively, the indicia may be formed integrallywith the guide portion 102 in, for example, a known stamping, machining,molding, forging or engraving process. The indicia may include varyingcolors and style for point of emphasis and to include a variety ofvisual impressions to the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates the tool 100 including work area extension arms 230which are coupled to the corner bracket 122 of the support portion 104.The work area extension arms 230 extend the mobility of the tool whenthe face 108 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 7) is used and the angle beginswithin for example, a distance from the corner of the workpiece which isless than the length of the cross member 134 (e.g., 2.5 inches in oneembodiment). Without the arms 230 the tool will otherwise slip into thecorner of the 90 degree area. If desired, the arms 230 may be removed byremoving the attachment screws 232 which couple the arms 230 to thecorner bracket 122.

Having now described the structure of the tool, the versatility of thetool 100 will now be demonstrated in various exemplary applications inwhich methods to establish, determine and evaluate angles, slopes, andpitches are believed to be apparent. More specifically, the tool 100 isdesigned to work in conjunction with a reference line (e.g. chalkline,string, wire, and the like), and has a vast array of possibleapplications which may be performed without the need of another personto assist with the other end of the line.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary layout application wherein desiredangles may be established on a job site. The tool 100 is mounted to aworkpiece 250 via the pins 186 as described above to securely anchor thetool to the workpiece. As shown in FIG. 10, the workpiece is a piece oflumber which has been set in a desired location on, for example, theground, and the tool 100 is seated along a straight edge 251 of theworkpiece. Accordingly, the tool 100 is oriented with the face 108exposed to the user.

A reference line 252 in the form of a string line is received in theslot 144 of the support portion, and a clip 253 attached to the stringline maintains the line 252 coupled to the slot 144. In FIG. 10, a 90°angle is desired to be set from the workpiece 250, whereby the stringline 252 is pulled taught and aligned against the 90° indicia on theface 108. When the line 252 is properly aligned with respect to theguide portion 102 at a 90° angle, a stake 254 may be driven into theground to mark the 90° position. Once the stake 254 is set, 90°positions may be established over longer distances in a similar mannerby pulling the line 252 taut against the stake 254 to set a new markerat a distance from the stake 254. Because the tool 100 is anchored tothe workpiece, the user may work hands free of the tool, and thus oneperson may layout the appropriate angle once the tool 100 is mounted tothe workpiece.

FIG. 11 illustrates, for example, a concrete pad and sidewalkconstruction layout using the tool 100. First, the concrete frame 300 isset for pouring of the concrete pad. Next, the tool 100 is mounted tothe frame 300 and a desired angle is set to place a frame 302 for thesidewalk in the manner described above in relation to FIG. 11. Once theframe 302 is set, the tool 100 may be mounted to the frame 302, andanother angle may be set to mount further frame elements 304 and 306 foranother portion of the sidewalk. Once the concrete is poured, the tool100 may be mounted to the frame element 306 and used with a chalk lineto use as a reference line with the tool to layout, for example,concrete cut lines to complete the sidewalk. Once again, because thetool 100 is anchored to the workpiece frames 300–306, the layout may beaccomplished by only one person while still achieving great accuracy inthe layout.

FIG. 12 illustrates the tool 100 mounted to a straight edge 320 of asheet 322 of building material, such as, for example a sheet of drywallor plywood. The tool 100 is attached to the edge 320 as described above,and a chalk line 324 is used with the tool 100 to snap a cutting linefor the sheet of material. The cut line may be quickly established by asingle person in a direct manner without mathematical computation. Thetool 100 could likewise be used on other edges 326, 328 of the sheet ofmaterial, and using the face 108 of the tool 100, angles could be pulledfrom left, right and center positions.

FIG. 13 illustrates the tool 100 mounted to a corner of a sheet 322 ofbuilding material, such as, for example a sheet of drywall or plywood.By coupling a chalk line 324 to the slot 132 of the corner bracket 122and using the face 110, the chalk line may be aligned with theappropriate indicia on the face 110 to snap a cut line from the cornerof the sheet. The cut line may be quickly established by a single personin a direct manner without mathematical computation. The tool 100 couldlikewise be used on other edges 326, 328 of the sheet of material, andusing the face 108 of the tool 100, angles could be pulled from left,right and center positions.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate the tool being used to establish cuts tosheets of building material to match a roof pitch. In FIG. 15, the tool100 is illustrated in various positions on a sheet of material toillustrate the cuts of the numbered panels illustrated in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates the tool 100 mounted in a desired location, and oncemounted, the tool 100 may be used with a string line to determine theangular position of any object or location relative the tool 100. Thus,unknown angles may be determined directly without mathematicalcomputation, and the unknown angles may be determined by only personwithout the assistance of others.

FIG. 17 illustrates the tool 100 mounted to an inclined workpiece, suchas a rafter, and when used with a string line and a plum bob 382. Theangle, slope or pitch of the workpiece 378 may be directly determined byonly one person, without the assistance of others and withoutmathematical computation. Similarly, when used with a plum bob 382, thetool 100 may be used as a level to layout or assess a horizontalposition of a workpiece.

FIG. 18 illustrates the tool 100 mounted to an inclined workpiece, suchas a soffit 400, and when used with a string line 402 and a plumbob 402.The angle, slope or pitch of a roof 404 may be directly determined byonly one person, without the assistance of others and withoutmathematical computation. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the tool 100 may bemounted to the soffit 400 from above or below as desired or as neededfor the roof structure.

FIG. 19 illustrates the tool 100 being used to locate centerlines 410and 412 of a construction arc or circle 420. Radial 410 and 412centerlines may be quickly established, and the center 414 of the circle420 may be located by intersecting the radial centerlines 410 and 412.Centers and centerlines may therefore be efficiently and accuratelydirectly determined by only one person, without the assistance of othersand without mathematical computation.

FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of a tool 450 includingreinforcing truss bars 452 supporting the cross member 134 above thecorner bracket 122. With the addition of the truss bars 452, the crossmember 134 is less likely to be bent or misaligned with respect to thecorner bracket 122 or the guide portion 102 in use, particularly when areference line is pulled from the slot 144 across the guide portion 102and the reference line is pulled taut against the cross member 134.Thus, the cross member 134 may more capably withstand substantial forcewhich the tool may be subjected to in use.

A universal angle measurement and layout tool is therefore providedwhich overcomes the problems associated with existing tools andsimplifies construction layout, evaluation and analysis by constructionpersonnel. The tool may be provided at relatively low cost and isbelieved to benefit the construction process in a meaningful way. Fromprofessional to novice workers, the tool renders previously difficulttasks quite manageable, thereby saving, time, money, and aggravation tothe construction process.

The tool 100 can be economically made in a number of processes, such asstamping, or numerous molding processes, or machining. The tool could bemade of any suitable material, and may be produced in a variety of sizesand colors with varying scales and measurement indicia. This tool in itsdesign for use on corners is self-adhering to the workpiece. Whenpulling on the string, the tool pulls snug onto the corner of theworkpiece, providing a secure, and accurate line to the corner itself.Holes for pinning, barbs, or pinning apparatuses may be added to thetool to make it resistant to sliding when pulling along edges ofapplicable materials, and the tool could be made magnetic for steelapplications.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

1. An angle measurement and layout tool comprising: a support portionconfigured to seat against an edge of a construction workpiece; and aguide portion extending from said support portion, said guide portionhaving opposite faces with each face having measurement indicia thereon,said measurement indicia differently arranged on each of said oppositefaces; wherein said support portion includes a first slot and a secondslot spaced from said first slot, said first and second slots positionedrelative to a respective one of said opposite faces of said guideportion to accurately measure angles when a reference line is extendedfrom each of said first and second slots to said corresponding face ofsaid guide portion.
 2. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidsupport portion comprises a corner bracket configured to receive acorner of the workpiece.
 3. A tool in accordance with claim 1 whereinsaid support portion is configured to be attached to an edge of theconstruction workpiece.
 4. A tool in accordance with claim 3 whereinsaid support portion includes spring loaded fasteners configured topenetrate the edge of the construction workpiece.
 5. A tool inaccordance with claim 1 wherein said guide portion is substantiallysemicircular.
 6. A tool in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of saidopposite faces of said guide portion include angular measurement indiciaand slope indicia.
 7. A tool in accordance with claim 6 wherein saidangular measurement indicia and said slope indicia occupies a differentarea on each of said opposite faces of said guide portion.
 8. A tool inaccordance with claim 6 wherein said support portion comprises a cornerbracket and a cross member, each of said corner bracket and said crossmember defining a respective reference point for each of said oppositefaces of said portion, said reference points of said corner bracket andsaid cross member being different from one another.
 9. A constructionlayout tool comprising: a support portion configured to seat against anedge of a construction workpiece, said support portion comprising a flatledge configured to seat against a workpiece and a corner bracketconfigured to receive a portion of the workpiece; and a guide portionextending from said support portion, said guide portion having layoutmeasurement indicia thereon; and at least one extension arm attachableto said corner bracket, a portion of said extension arm extendingparallel to said ledge.
 10. A tool in accordance with claim 9 whereinsaid support portion further comprises fasteners configured to attachthe tool to an edge of the workpiece.
 11. A tool in accordance withclaim 9 wherein said guide portion is substantially semicircular.
 12. Atool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said guide portion comprisesopposite faces, said support portion including a first slot and a secondslot spaced from said first slot, said first and second slots positionedrelative to a respective one of said opposite faces of said guideportion to accurately measure angles when a reference line is extendedfrom each of said first and second slots to a corresponding face of saidguide portion.
 13. A tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said guideportion comprises opposite faces, each of said opposite faces of saidguide portion including measurement indicia, said measurement indicia ofeach of said sides of said guide portion being different from oneanother.
 14. A tool in accordance with claim 9 wherein said guideportion comprises opposite faces, each of said opposite faces of saidguide portion including measurement indicia, said measurement indiciaoccupying a different area on each of said opposite faces of said guideportion.
 15. A construction layout and angle measurement toolcomprising: a support portion comprising a flat ledge and a cornerbracket extending from said ledge, each of said ledge and corner bracketdefining a slot for a reference line, said slots of each of said ledgeand said corner bracket being different from one another; a guideportion extending from said support portion, said guide portion havingopposite faces each having layout measurement indicia thereon, saidmeasurement indicia of one of said faces corresponding to said slot ofsaid ledge, and said measurement indicia of said other of said facescorresponding to said slot of said corner bracket, wherein when areference line is extended through one of said slots and across thecorresponding face of said guide portion, an orientation of the linewith respect to said guide portion may accurately establish a desiredlayout or determine an unknown layout.
 16. A tool in accordance withclaim 15 wherein the tool is configured for attachment to a workpiece,whereby when the reference line is attached to the tool a single personmay accurately establish a desired layout or determine an unknownlayout.
 17. A tool in accordance with claim 15 wherein said measurementindicia on one of said faces is configured for use with a flat edge of aworkpiece, and said measurement indicia on the other of said faces isconfigured for use with a corner of the workpiece.
 18. A tool inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said ledge extends substantiallyperpendicular to said guide portion.
 19. A tool in accordance with claim15 wherein said measurement indicia of one of said faces comprises slopeindicia having a first zero point and a second zero point, said slopeindicia increasing from each of said zero points.
 20. A tool inaccordance with claim 19 wherein said slope indicia increases from eachof the zero points to a predetermined slope indicia, and decreasestoward each of the zero points from the predetermined slope indicia. 21.A tool in accordance with claim 20 wherein said predetermined slopeindicia corresponds to a slope of 12 inches rise per foot.
 22. A tool inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said measurement indicia of one of saidfaces comprises slope indicia having a first zero point, a second zeropoint and a third zero point, said slope indicia increasing anddecreasing between said first, second, and third zero points.
 23. Anangle measurement and layout tool comprising: a support portionconfigured to receive a corner of a workpiece; and a guide portionextending from said support portion and marked with measurement indiciacorresponding to the corner of the workpiece, said measurement indiciaincluding at least one of an angular degree indicia and slope indicia,wherein said guide portion comprises opposite faces, said supportportion including a first slot and a second slot spaced from said firstslot, said first and second slots positioned relative to a respectiveone of said opposite faces of said guide portion to accurately measureangles when a reference line is extended from each of said first andsecond slots to a corresponding face of said guide portion.
 24. A toolin accordance with claim 23 wherein said measurement indicia comprisesslope indicia having a first zero point and a second zero point, saidslope indicia increasing from each of said zero points.
 25. A tool inaccordance with claim 23 wherein said measurement indicia comprisesslope indicia having a first zero point and a second zero point, saidslope indicia increasing from each of the zero points to a predeterminedslope indicia, and decreasing toward each of the zero points from thepredetermined slope indicia.
 26. A tool in accordance with claim 23wherein said slope indicia spans radially for approximately 90° on saidguide portion.